The Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) and producer Jason Behrman of Highway 9 announce the start of production on faith-based animated feature The Woman at Jacob’s Well. The project commenced production in December and is the first animated film to utilize the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program.
“OF+MO has been an absolutely invaluable resource in the process of setting up our independent animated feature in Oklahoma,” said Behrman. “The office has helped me put all the necessary elements in place to make producing a 3D animated feature film in Tulsa possible. The Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program is an incredible blessing, as it is making it possible to make a better film and helping keep nearly every dollar of this project inside the Oklahoma state lines.”
The Woman at Jacob’s Well is the story of a broken but profoundly strong woman as she encounters an epic moment in history. Rejected by her community but determined to find her own way, this woman at Jacob’s well encounters Jesus Christ in a scene that many of the time would call scandalous. The aftermath of their exchange transforms the woman and her village, redirecting their futures forever.
Heading the project with Behrman are Mark Steele and Kevin Anderson, with production taking place at Tulsa animation studio Steelehouse. Behrman and Steelehouse have been collaborating for nearly a decade, and The Woman at Jacob’s Well will be the facility’s first animated feature.
Behrman and his wife Mellany are both Oklahomans who built film careers in Los Angeles between 1996 and 2008 before moving their company back east to raise their children in their home state.
“The Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program continues to attract a diversity of film productions to our state as seen by The Woman at Jacob’s Well, the first animated feature film to utilize the program,” said OF+MO Director Tava Maloy Sofsky. “We’re thrilled that Oklahoma’s visual artists and production companies such as Steelehouse will showcase our state’s talent as a leading competitor in these advanced fields of animated film production.”
Arcana Studios and Shout! Factory have announced the star-studded voice cast for upcoming animated feature Howard Lovecraft and the Undersea Kingdom. Newcomers leading the roster are pop-culture icon Mark Hamill (Star Wars, Batman: The Killing Joke) as Dr. Henry Armitage and Jeffrey Combs (Transformers Prime, Re-Animator) as King Abdul.
Reprising their roles from last year’s Howard Lovecraft and the Frozen Kingdom are Oscar-winning actor Christopher Plummer (Beginners) as Dr. Herbert West and Doug Bradley (Hellraiser) as Nyarlathotep.
Written, directed and produced by Sean Patrick O’Reilly, Howard Lovecraft and the Undersea Kingdom is adapted from Arcana’s popular graphic novel of the same name, and the second installment of Howard Lovecraft animated film series. A love letter to the works of H.P. Lovecraft, this fantastical second feature follows young Howard and his friend “Spot” on an awe-inspiring adventure from the frozen wasteland to the depths of a mysterious ocean. The movie entwines new storytelling, actual events of H.P. Lovecraft’s life, iconic elements of his writings and literary characters Cthulhu, Shoggoth and more.
The new movie is slated for release in late 2017 across major distribution platforms and in packaged media from Shout! Factory.
Howard Lovecraft and the Undersea Kingdom is based on the graphic novel series by Bruce Brown and Dwight L. MacPherson. The film is produced by Michelle O’Reilly, with Gary Yuen as art director & senior modeler, Chris Trinh as senior editor, and Martin Bastian as CG supervisor.
Entertainment One (eOne) has secured a new broadcast partner and a raft of licensees for hit preschool superhero show PJ Masks in the UK, where the brand will get its first toy line launch on February 4.
The CG animated series broadcast exposure will get a boost from Sony Pictures Television Networks, which will debut the series on its free-to-air channel Tiny Pop on February 25. PJ Masks currently airs on Disney Junior in the UK, where it premiered in February 2016 and consistently ranks as a top-performing show.
Leading into this year’s toy fair season, eOne has confirmed new partners VTech and LeapFrog (electronic toys for Innotab/DigiGo and LeapPad, Epic and LeapStart), Ravensburger (puzzles & games, July ‘17), Roy Lowe (socks, Oct. ‘17), William Lamb (bags, back-to-school; bags & footwear, Jan. ‘18), Dreamtex (children’s bedding, Oct. ‘17), Zak (lunchware) and Gemma International (party & greetings range).
“PJ Masks is capturing the imaginations of kids and families across the UK and we’re delighted that more children will have the chance to watch the show when it premieres on Tiny Pop,” said Katie Rollings, eOne’s Head of UK Licensing. “The consumer demand for merchandise is building rapidly and with the highly-anticipated toy launch just around the corner, we’re thrilled to be welcoming a range of new partners that will bring the action-packed, heroic adventures of the PJ Masks trio to life for fans of the show.”
The brands consumer products launch in the UK will begin next month with the master global toy line from Flair’s Just Play division, including plush, vehicles, action figures and dress-up. The program will expand to multiple categories starting in July, with offerings from previously signed partners Hachette (master publisher, UK), Immediate Media (4-weekly kids’ magazine), Redan (content in Fun to Learn Favourites and Fun to Learn Friends) and Aykroyds & TDP (kids’ nightwear & underwear).
The toy launch is being supported by a comprehensive marketing and PR strategy from eOne and Just Play, spanning costume character retail tour (Feb.-April), consumer media, national competitions, social and digital, and activity sheets distributed at retail and travel franchises including Fayre & Square restaurants. Disney Junior will also run on-air giveaways and promos.
PJ Masks’ global digital strategy comprises a dedicated website, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube channels. The first free app, Moonlight Heroes, was released globally last June, generating 5 million downloads (over 200k in the UK). The first paid app, Super City Run, launched in multiple territories in December and has racked up 30k downloads.
Animagrad and FILM.UA Group’s ethereal feature Mavka: The Forest Song has become the first Ukrainian animation project to get through the highly competitive selection process for Cartoon Movie, which is taking place this year from March 8-10 in Bordeaux, France. The film’s producers Iryna Kostyuk, Anna Eliseeva and Egor Olesov and costume designer Olga Navrotska will present the project to producers, distributors, broadcasters and investors from around the world at the prominent industry event.
“It is a huge honor for us to present the first Ukrainian production to be accepted to an influential international event of this caliber,especially since Mavka is more than just a movie: it is, in a sense, an animated record of authentic Ukrainian culture, and is a worthy ambassador for new Ukrainian animation around the world,” said Kostyuk.
“We are thrilled that our Mavka will be the first Ukrainian production to take part in the forum. This means that the event’s Organizing Committee was greatly impressed by our intention to promote our cultural and ethnic heritage, and recognized the potential in our unique central character and the movie as a whole. Acceptance to the Cartoon Movie pitching event is our first significant ‘win’ in Europe, and our first step in popularizing Ukrainian culture abroad.”
Mavka is one of over 50 projects in various stages of development being presented at Cartoon Movie this spring, and is among the “concept” entries. The decision to enter the selection process was made following Ukraine’s participation in the 2016 Creative Europe program organized by the EU, granting local producers access to cultural and media programs.
“I am happy to see that the decision to add Ukraine to the EU’s Creative Europe project is starting to yield the first tangible results for Ukrainian culture, the country’s creative industries, and cultural diplomacy,” said Head of the Creative Europe Desk Ukraine Iryna Vikyrchak. “We are confident it will be a catalyst for development on the Ukrainian market and for cooperation between Ukraine and other European nations. Our congratulations to Mavka!”
Mavka: The Forest Song is conceived as a full-length animated feature inspired by the play by Lesya Ukrainka, as well as Ukrainian legends and traditions. To ensure authenticity, the production crew includes experts from leading ethnography institutes: the Ukrainian Studies Center at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, the Ivan Honchar Museum, and the Ukrainian Fashion Museum.
Ukrainian folk group DakhaBrakha — named “Best Breakout” band of the 2014 Bonnaroo festival by Rolling Stone — has committed to creating the film’s soundtrack: the musicians are currently working on the project’s first teaser, which will be unveiled at the Berlin International Film Festival’s European Film Market in February.
In September 2016, Mavka: The Forest Song won the Ukrainian State Film Agency contest and was awarded state financing in the amount of 30% of the film’s total budget. Mavka is scheduled for release in Ukraine in late 2018–early 2019.
Organizers of the Annecy International Animated Film Festival and the MIFA film market have revealed highlights planned in celebration of its guest country for 2017: China. This year’s festival in French lakeside town will run June 12-17, with the market going from June 13-16.
Annecy’s tribute to Chinese animation will be anchored by a large exhibition at Château d’Annecy, musée lacs et montagnes, of classic film material from the Shanghai studio which leads into a number of installations by contemporary artists and filmmakers such as Sun Xun, Haiyang Wang, Wu Chao and Weilun Xia.
“This exceptional collaboration between the Château d’Annecy and the Festival will give a unique and original vision of Chinese animation,” said Festival Artistic Director, Marcel Jean. “Our project is to offer the biggest overview of the past as well as the present of Chinese animation, by presenting as many historical works as films made by the new generation of independent filmmakers. We would like to talk about the industry and its rapid development, and also make more singular voices heard.”
On screen, a dozen programs will present a retrospective of Chinese animation achievements — including Laiming and Guchan Wan’s 1941 feature Princess Iron Fan, three historical short film programs, contemporary shorts, top student films from the country, and retrospectives on Sun Xun, Xu An and Xi Chen.
“China is a great country, almost a continent and its animation is rich and varied,” Jean added. “In order to offer the Annecy public the best from this cinema, we have been working with European experts like Marie-Claire Kuo Quiquemelle and the director of the Holland Animation Film Festival, Gerben Schermer, not to mention the expertise of Lucie Cabanes and Maurice Corbet, from the Château d’Annecy.”
Annecy 2017 will also welcome young Chinese filmmaker Chao Wu as a jury member, helping to select the winners of 18-some prestigious official prizes. Born in 1977, Chao Wu graduated from the Fine Arts College in Sichaun in 2000 with a Bachelor’s in visual art, and continued her Master’s degree studies at École Nationale Supérieure d’art in Nancy, France in 2007. She is now back living in China and working as a teacher at the Art College in Guangzhou while also pursuing her career in digital art animation and video art.
The guest country will also have a strong presence at the MIFA film market. A Chinese delegation lead by SARFT (the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of the People’s Republic of China) can be found on the market floor in a 150-plus sq. m. pavilion.
VIDEO: ‘The Trolley Problem’
Award-winning animator Eoin Duffy (The Missing Scarf) teams up with TED Ed to explore Philippa Foot’s ethical thought experiment and its increasing real-world importance.
VIDEO: ‘Voltron Legendary Defender’ S2 – “Pidge’s Garbage Buddies”
After the wormhole catastrophe, Pidge ends up in a garbage nebula with only her imagination for company. Season 2 of DreamWorks’ Voltron arrives on Netflix Jan. 20! “Blah blah blah, crazy words, mustache.”
PaleyFest LA – Featuring ‘Bob’s Burgers’
The Paley Center for Media is gathering some of the brightest stars of TV for screenings and panel Q&As from March 17-26. This year’s lineup includes Bob’s Burgers, Westworld, a superhero event featuring the CW’s Arrow, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash and Supergirl, and more.
Cartoon Network has partnered with Titan Comics to bring its popular animated series to the page in reimagined comic book adventures, in the UK for the first time. The first run of collections are available in stores now, starting at £10.99, or though titan-comics.com.
Toons getting the treatment include four-time Emmy-winning series Regular Show, written by KC Green (Gunshow, Invader Zim, Graveyard Quest) and drawn by Allison Strejlau (Regular Show, Steven Universe, Breadwinners).
The critically acclaimed adventures of a magical boy and his galactic guardian pals continue in Steven Universe, written by Jeremy Sorese (Adventure Time, Gumball, Bee and Puppycat, Curveball, Bravest Warriors) and Coleman Engle (Regular Show, Gumball, Catbug, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Bee and Puppycat).
Adapted from CN’s first-ever original animated miniseries, Over the Garden Wall is written by series’ creator Patrick McHale, with art by Jim Campbell, and follows two brothers trying to find their way home and encountering adventure at every turn.
Webcomic creator Frank Gibson (Gumball, Adventure Time, The Simpsons, Tiny Kitten Teeth) is writing the comics expansion of The Amazing World of Gumball, with art by Tyson Hesse (Bravest Warriors, Sonic the Hedgehog, Megaman, Invader Zim , Boxer Hockey) — bringing Gumball and his zany community to comics for the first time in the country.
Getting even more delightfully nonsensical is Uncle Grandpa — which Titan describes as a cross between MAD magazine’s Don Martin, a Tex Avery cartoon, Gary Larson’s The Far Side and “an aardvark dressed as a clown riding a unicycle.”
And rounding out the collection is Clarence, Cartoon Network’s first original graphic novel based on the hit series created by Skyler Page. Follow the painfully optimistic nine-year-old (and best friends Jeff and Sumo) in this new book written by Derek Fridolfs (Munchkin, Scooby-Doo, Dexter’s Laboratory) with art by JJ Harrison (Adventure Time, Regular Show).
Over the Garden WallAmazing World of GumballSteven UniverseRegular ShowUncle Grandpa
London- and Los Angeles-based independent film and TV producer Komixx Entertainment has expanded its operations into Australia, bringing its approach to identifying and developing local IP into the Asia-Pacific market. Tapped to head the new Perth office and drive the company’s regional strategy is former RKPIX founder and APAC entertainment industry leader Amanda Morrison.
With more than 20 years’ experience in the international transmedia production industry, including media advisory roles for Australian government agencies Screenwest and Screen NSW, Morrison has an established track record in producing popular content in APAC. She currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors, for The Centre For Interdisciplinary Arts and PVI collective in Western Australia.
Prior to her new role at Komixx, Morrison founded Transmedia For Change, an independent documentary and kids’ entertainment company that develops, finances and produces transmedia projects. She has also produced content for international distributors and broadcasters, such as NTL and Channel 5.
“I am really excited to be founding Komixx Entertainment Australia. As producers of high quality content, I have wanted to collaborate with the Komixx team for a long time as they truly understand the substantial disruption the global film and TV industry is facing by digital technologies and business models. We all agree it is critical to harness the significant opportunity that the digital revolution, mobile and video proliferation represents,” said Morrison.
“Globally, Western Australia is uniquely well placed within the Asia Pacific region to capture this opportunity. Perth is the ideal content production hub to service global forecast demand, and there is clear opportunity here considering current funding offered by ScreenWest, Screen Australia, and International Treaty arrangements for production.”
The APAC SVOD market is predicted to reach $6.4 billion in the next five years, according to a 2016 report by Media Partners Asia. Growing demand for content and increasing competition between local SVOD services have motivated Komixx’s decision to open an Australian branch. The new office at Open Fields Arts Innovation will focus on developing and producing local scripted, non-scripted and digital content to add to its portfolio of kids, family and young adult titles, which includes Toby’s Traveling Circus, Wanda and the Alien and recent Netflix commission The Kissing Booth.
“We are extremely excited to be bringing Amanda on board to help us drive this exciting new chapter in Komixx’s international story. The Australian office serves as a natural progression to our global content strategy and we’re thrilled to be making our mark in the APAC region,” said Andrew Cole-Bulgin, joint CEO and Head of Film & TV. “Our growth here is a response to the demand for new and exciting content in Asia and Amanda is the perfect person to lead this charge. Her unique international perspective within both the traditional and new media content production markets, ensures we’ll have some exciting content emerging from the Perth office very soon.”
Deirdre Brennan has been tapped as General Manager of 24-hour preschool network Sprout, overseeing all aspects of Sprout’s programming, marketing, business strategy and performance. Brennan will report directly to Frances Berwick, President, Lifestyle Networks, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment.
“Deirdre is one of the most well respected children’s media executives in the world – she is smart, strategic, and collaborative – with a proven track record of success,” said Berwick. “Sprout is evolving and growing rapidly as we reinvent our business model to an originals-driven brand, and I’m thrilled to have a leader with Deirdre’s unparalleled experience drive this growth phase.”
As General Manager, Brennan will set up the strategy for all network and digital operations, with organizational oversight encompassing programming, development, marketing, digital, finance, communications, insights and strategy. She will manage the greenlight process and work closely with producers and international broadcasters — as well as the global creative community — to bolster relationship with top TV talent.
Brennan will also work closely with business across NBCU, including Universal Brand Development, Universal Cable Productions, and DreamWorks Animation, to optimize projects and resources that grow the company’s overall kids’ strategy.
The new GM joins Sprout from Corus Entertainment, where she was VP of Content — overseeing the development, management and execution of the Corus Kids slate across YTV, Treehouse, Nickelodeon, Teletoon, Cartoon Network and Disney channels. Prior to Corus, she was Head of Children’s Television for ABC TV at Australian Broadcasting Corporation, responsible for Australia’s top kids’ services ABC Kids, ABC3 and ABC Children’s online and mobile offerings. Brennan was previously Director of Content, Australia & New Zealand for BBC Worldwide, and Director of Programming, Nickelodeon Australia. She began her TV career as a presenter and announcer for Australian Broadcasting Corp.
Brennan will relocate from Toronto to Sprout’s offices in New York in February.
The CG critter crew is back in action in a new trailer for The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature — coming to theaters August 18. The sequel to the 2014 animated caper based on Peter Lepeniotis’ short Surly Squirrel is a US-Canada-Korea co-production between ToonBox Entertainment, Red Rover International and Gulfstream Pictures, distributed by Open Road Films.
Directed by Cal Brunker, who wrote the film with Scott Bindley and Bob Barlen, The Nut Job 2 brings back Surly Squirrel (Will Arnett) and pals for another impossible mission. When the Nut Shop shuts down for good, the animals relocate to Oakton’s Liberty Park — only to find out the evil mayor has decided to bulldoze it to build a slipshod amusement park. It’s up to Surly and his ragtag team to save their home, defeat the mayor, and take back the park.
The voice cast also features Katherine Heigl, Jackie Chan, Peter Stormare, Bobby Cannavale, Isabela Moner and Maya Rudolph. Mike Karz and Bill Bindley produce.
Check out the high-energy, slapstick-packed trailer below — complete with explosions, sabotage, and ill-timed bodily functions.
The Oscar-qualifying New York International Children’s Film Festival — which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, February 24-March 19 — has unveiled its full 2017 lineup, featuring a slew of new animated, live-action, documentary and experimental shorts and features for kids and teens from roughly 30 countries, including more than 15 New York premieres.
This year’s festival will present screenings at venues across New York City (DGA Theater, IFC Center, Scandinavia House, SVA Theatre, Cinépolis Chelsea) and will be expanding into Brooklyn with a weekend event at Alamo Drafthouse. Tickets for NYICFF members are on sale now; general public tickets will be available January 25.
In addition to the previously announced Opening Night films My Life as a Zucchiniand Revolting Rhymes, and Spotlight Screening Your Name., the festival will present the North American premiere of Kenji Kamiyama’s animated feature Ancien and the Magic Tabletas the Closing Day film. Lu Chuan’s Disneynature documentary Born in China will be this year’s Centerpiece Screening.
The NYICFF short film programs this year will showcase the cream of a 1,500-entry crop sent in from around the world to compete for Oscar-qualifying juried awards. Programs include Shorts for Tots (Ages 3-6), Short Films One (Ages 5-10), Short Films Two (Ages 8-14), Short Films Three (Ages 12-Adult), Heebies Jeebies: Spooky, Freaky & Bizarre (Ages 10-Adult), Girls’ POV (Ages 10-Adult) — films with a strong female lead or related to issues girls face; Birthday Shorts (All Ages) — new and classic festival shorts about growth, change and transformation; and Friends and Neighbors: Canada (Ages 7+) — a curated mix of kid-friendly favorites from the Toronto film fest created by TIFF Kids.
The 2017 NYICFF Jury is: Oscar-winning animator John Canemaker (The Moon and the Son), Oscar-winning filmmaker Sofia Coppola, Oscar-winning actor Geena Davis (Founder, Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media), NYU Tisch School Assoc. Prof. of Children Media Lynne McVeigh, award-winning actor Matthew Modine, New York Film Festival Director Emeritus Richard Peña (Prof. of Film Studies, Columbia), award-winning filmmaker James Schamus, award-winning producer Christine Vachon, award-winning director Gus Van Sant, Oscar-nominated writer/director Taika Waititi and award-winning actor Jeffrey Wright.
Below are select listings of previously unannounced animated features playing at NYICFF 2017. Visit nyicff.org for the complete program and ticket information.
Closing Day Film:
Ancien and the Magic Tablet, dir. Kenji Kamiyama (Japan)
North American Premiere, in Japanese with English subtitles, Ages 9+.
This fender and genre-bending film takes us into the not-too-distant machine-driven future. Kokone should be diligently studying for her university entrance exams, but she just can’t seem to stay awake. Aside from stealing precious study time, her napping is even more distracting, as it brings on strange dreams with warring machines that hint at family secrets that have been dormant for years. She can’t ask her father, a hipster mechanic more talented and artful than his job requires, as he’s always busy modifying motorcycles and cars in flights of fancy. What are these visions that lead Kokone at once closer to and farther away from her family? Like all the best anime, the film revels in multilayered fantasy to show how sometimes opposites—waking and dreaming, the past and the future—are far more intertwined than they appear.
Animated Features in Alphabetical Order:
Ivan Tsarevitch and the Changing Princess: Four Enchanting Tales, dir. Michel Ocelot (France)
North American Premiere, in French with English subtitles, ages 7+.
Renowned animator Michel Ocelot (Kirikou and the Sorceress) originally conceived of this enchanting collection of fairy tales in his signature silhouette style of animation as a series related to past Festival feature Tales of the Night (NYICFF 2012). A master projectionist and his two assistants bring life to four magical tales. Stories of a shape-shifting princess, a cat whose natural ability seems supernatural to some, a girl who learns to harness—not hide from—her fears to fight the most daunting of beasts, and a boy tempted by the promises of a sorcerer are full of rich imagery, plot twists, and charming characters. As always, Ocelot’s illustrations provide a stunning platform to explore the very art of storytelling.
Panda, Go Panda!, dir. Isao Takahata (Japan)
Fest Flashback, in English, all ages.
We’re flashing back to a Festival classic that our youngest audiences may have missed! From the legendary team that formed Studio Ghibli (with original concepts and character designs by Hayao Miyazaki) comes two deliriously delightful animated featurettes. Seven-year-old Mimiko has somehow persuaded her grandmother to take off by train and leave her home alone. She’s quite capable of handling all duties of home and hearth, but gets more than she bargains for when Papa Panda and baby Panny turn up at her door. Their round bodies, wide grins, and off-kilter clowning offer the first glints of another charming neighbor to come. Infused equally with the amazing and the absurd, this seriously fun Totoro precursor is sure to win over new audiences and seasoned Ghibli fans alike.
Rudolf the Black Cat, dir. Kunihiko Yuyama & Monotori Sakakibara (Japan)
North American Premiere, in Japanese with English subtitles, ages 7+.
Rudolf enjoys a life of comfort and care in Gifu, Japan. Yet true to the adage, curiosity gets the best of the kitten, and he decides to explore beyond the four walls of his home. When he’s inadvertently whisked into the back of a cargo truck and lands in Tokyo, he befriends Gottalot, a seasoned street cat who possesses a crucial and unusual skill that will help him find his way home: the ability to read the human language. Rudolf’s journey is rich with Japanese culture, and his story celebrates the wonder of discovery—that magical moment when you realize you have the key to unlock the world.
Window Horses, dir. Ann Marie Fleming (Canada)
New York Premiere, in English, ages 9+.
Rosie Ming wants nothing more than to live the life of a Parisian poet. Instead, the only child of a Chinese mother and Iranian father lives in Canada with her over-protective grandparents. She’s overjoyed to receive an unexpected invitation to a poetry festival, but has some misgivings upon realizing that it’s not in Paris, but in Iran. Culture shock upon arrival soon gives way to total fascination as she (and the audience) discovers the area’s rich artistry and storytelling. With the help of new friends, Rosie uncovers her connection to Iran, her inspiration, and her own artistic voice. Anne Marie Fleming’s adaptation of her own graphic novel beautifully mixes animation styles to create a testament to the value of identity and the power of art to bridge languages, cultures and generations.
Enshen and Her Magic Tablet (Hirune Hime)Enshen and Her Magic Tablet (Hirune Hime)
MarVista Entertainment, the Latin American distributor for LEVEL-5 abby’s game and animation property Yo-Kai Watch, has extended its broadcast licensing deal with Disney XD Latin America, which will present audiences with the second season of the kids’ TV phenomenon as well as the first English-language film, Yo-Kai Watch: The Movie.
MarVista’s pan-LatAm licensing agent for Yo-Kai Watch has also secured a number of new deals for the brand’s consumer products program in the region.
“MarVista was thrilled with the initial response from audiences when Yo-Kai Watch premiered across all five of Disney XD Latin American feeds last June, building an incredible fan base for this multi-platform property throughout the region,” said Fernando Szew, CEO, MarVista Entertainment. “Our licensing agent, Tycoon Enterprises, has also been extremely successful in building the licensing, merchandising and retail program across the territory and continues to expand in 2017 with new deals and product rollouts.”
Season 2 of Yo-Kai Watch continues the hilarious misadventures of an average boy and his encounters with the mischievous Yo-kai — invisible beings that are the cause of life’s daily annoyances — with new characters, a new watch, and more of Jibanyan, Nate and Whisper.
Yo-Kai Watch: The Movie follows Nate and his Yo-kai friends as they travel to the past to help his grandfather, Nathaniel, battle evil Yo-kai and invent the first Yo-kai Watch. The movie also introduces Hovernyan, a floating blue cat Yo-kai who is Nathaniel’s companion. The movie premiered in the US in November on Disney XD and Netflix, following a 300-theater theatrical run.
The 23 new consumer products partners secured Tycoon across LatAm (including Mexico) covering outerwear, pajamas, underwear, swimwear, back-to-school, stationery, notebooks, confectionary, home, toys and games include: Union Kids, Movis, Grupo Ruz, Scribe, Granmark, Regalos Siglo XXI, Importadora Grezon, IMC Toys, Topps Latin America: Induropa, Titanio, Windsor, Ansaldo, Party Express, Laboratorios Durandin, Scribe, Eficiencia Laboral, Textiles Arval, Papelera Nacional, STOR, IMC Toys, and Topps.
More than 500 SKUs will be available in all tiers at leading stores throughout the region (Walmart Mexico and Central America, Chedraui, Soriana, Ripley, Fallabela and Pepe Ganga, et al) early this year.
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and Genius Brands International have expanded last year’s North American home entertainment distribution agreement to include worldwide marketing and distribution of Genius Brands’ Kid Genius and Baby Genius labels and properties. On top of the broader agreement, SPHE has taken an equity stake in Genius Brands.
“The global distribution deal between Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and Genius Brands provides a myriad of growth opportunities for both companies and coordinated global marketing for each of our brands as well as for our rapidly growing Kid Genius and Baby Genius channels” said Andy Heyward, Chairman and CEO of Genius Brands. “We look forward to working with SPHE to source, develop and produce valuable commercial children’s ‘content with a purpose’ for global audiences.”
Among the Genius Brands properties encompassed by the global deal are music- and fashion-driven tween girls’ brand SpacePOP, which debuted at retail in Q4 2016 following a successful digital animated content launch; the relaunch of the Baby Genius series; Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaire’s Club and Stan Lee’s Cosmic Crusaders.
“Genius Brands offers an incredible value to the worldwide marketplace in providing content with a purpose to children and family audiences around the globe. We are pleased to bring our global capabilities to this expanded relationship with Genius,” said Bill Stellman, SPHE’s EVP and CFO.
Sony Pictures Animation is forging ahead with its plans to increase its release output while creating a distinctive mix of titles, evidenced by the newly released feature film slate dated through 2018 — which tacks on the much buzzed-about new Lin-Manuel Miranda project due in 2020.
The films will feature familiar favorites like the Smurfs, Spider-Man, and the ghoulish gang of Hotel Transylvania, plus all-new animated faces audiences can get to know.
“We are proud of the artist-driven titles we have coming to the marketplace, said SPA President Kristine Belson. “The abundance, variety and quality of the features are a testament to the wealth of creative talents who call Sony Pictures Animation their home.”
Sony Pictures Animation upcoming features:
April 7, 2017
Smurfs: The Lost Village
Voice cast: Newly announced, Michelle Rodriguez (SmurfStorm), Ellie Kemper (SmurfBlossom), Ariel Winter (SmurfLily) and Julia Roberts (SmurfWillow), all residents of the title’s Lost Village. Cameos include Gordon Ramsay (Baker), Gabriel Iglesias (Jokey), Tituss Burgess (Vanity), Jeff Dunham (Farmer), Jake Johnson (Grouchy), and director Kelly Asbury (Nosey). Previously announced, Demi Lovato (Smurfette), Rainn Wilson (Gargamel), Joe Manganiello (Hefty), Jack McBrayer (Clumsy), Danny Pudi (Brainy), and Mandy Patinkin (Papa).
Directed by Kelly Asbury (Shrek 2), produced by Jordan Kerner (Charlotte’s Web) and Mary Ellen Bauder Andrews (Hotel Transylvania), and written by Stacey Harman and Pamela Ribon, based on the characters and works of Peyo. Digital animation by Sony Pictures Imageworks.
In this fully animated, all-new take on the Smurfs, a mysterious map sets Smurfette and her best friends Brainy, Clumsy and Hefty on an exciting and thrilling race through the Forbidden Forest filled with magical creatures to find a mysterious lost village before the evil wizard Gargamel does. Embarking on a rollercoaster journey full of action and danger, the Smurfs are on a course that leads to the discovery of the biggest secret in Smurf history!
August 4, 2017
The Emoji Movie
Voice cast: Newly announced, Jennifer Coolidge (Gene’s mother, Mary Meh), Maya Rudolph (Smiler), Jake T. Austin (Alex), and Sir Patrick Stewart (Poop). Previously announced, T.J. Miller (Gene), James Corden (Hi-5), Ilana Glazer (Jailbreak), Steven Wright (Gene’s father, Mel Meh).
Directed by Tony Leondis, produced by Michelle Raimo Kouyate, and written by Tony Leondis & Eric Siegel and Mike White. Digital animation by Sony Pictures Imageworks.
The Emoji Movie unlocks the never-before-seen secret world inside your smartphone. Hidden within the messaging app is Textopolis, a bustling city where all your favorite emojis live, hoping to be selected by the phone’s user. In this world, each emoji has only one facial expression – except for Gene, an exuberant emoji who was born without a filter and is bursting with multiple expressions. Determined to become “normal” like the other emojis, Gene enlists the help of his handy best friend Hi-5 and the notorious code breaker emoji Jailbreak. Together, they embark on an epic “app-venture” through the apps on the phone, each its own wild and fun world, to find the Code that will fix Gene. But when a greater danger threatens the phone, the fate of all emojis depends on these three unlikely friends who must save their world before it’s deleted forever.
November 10, 2017
The Star
Voice cast: Steven Yeun (Bo the donkey), Kelly Clarkson (Leah the horse), Aidy Bryant (Ruth the sheep), Keegan-Michael Key (Dave the dove), Kristin Chenoweth (Mouse), Anthony Anderson (Zach the goat), Gabriel Iglesias (Rufus the dog), Ving Rhames (Thaddeus the dog), Delilah Rene (Elizabeth), Kris Kristofferson (Old Donkey), Gina Rodriguez (Mary), Zachary Levi (Joseph), with Oprah Winfrey (Deborah), Tyler Perry (Cyrus) and Tracy Morgan (Felix) as the three camels, and Christopher Plummer (King Herod).
Directed by Academy Award-nominated writer/director Timothy Reckart (Head Over Heels); executive produced by DeVon Franklin (Miracles from Heaven), Lisa Henson and Brian Henson (The Jim Henson Company); produced by Jenni Magee Cook; with a story by Carlos Kotkin and Simon Moore; and screenplay by Carlos Kotkin. Digital animation by Cinesite Studios.
A small but brave donkey named Bo yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day he finds the courage to break free, and finally goes on the adventure of his dreams. On his journey, he teams up with Ruth, a lovable sheep who has lost her flock and Dave, a dove with lofty aspirations. Along with three wisecracking camels and some eccentric stable animals, Bo and his new friends follow the Star and become accidental heroes in the greatest story ever told – the first Christmas.
September 21, 2018
Hotel Transylvania 3
Voice cast: Returning ensemble, including Adam Sandler (Dracula), Selena Gomez (Mavis) and Andy Samberg (Johnny).
Directed once more by Genndy Tartakovsky (Samurai Jack, Star Wars: Clone Wars), with Michelle Murdocca back producing and Adam Sandler executive producing, with a screenplay by Genndy Tartakovsky and Michael McCullers (Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me).
Mavis surprises Dracula with a family voyage on a luxury Monster Cruise Ship so he can take a vacation from providing everyone else’s vacation at the hotel. The rest of Drac’s Pack cannot resist going along and once they leave port, romance zings Drac when he meets the mysterious ship captain Ericka. Now it’s Mavis’ turn to play the overprotective parent, keeping her dad and Ericka apart. Little do they know that his “too good to be true” love interest is actually a descendent of Van Helsing, arch nemesis to Dracula and all monsters!
***In addition to this feature film, a new animated short, Puppy, directed by Genndy Tartakovsky, will be debuting in theaters attached to The Emoji Movie in August 2017. In the short, the residents of Hotel Transylvania find their world turned upside-down when youngster Dennis gets a surprise monster-sized pet!
December 21, 2018
Untitled Animated Spider-Man
From Phil Lord & Christopher Miller, the geniuses behind The LEGO Movie, comes an animated Spider-Man feature starring Miles Morales. The feature is directed by Bob Persichetti (head of story, Puss in Boots and The Little Prince) and Peter Ramsey (Rise of the Guardians). The film is written by Phil Lord. Avi Arad (Iron Man, Spider-Man), Amy Pascal (Spider-Man: Homecoming), Phil Lord & Christopher Miller (Untitled Han Solo Movie) are executive producing; Christina Steinberg (Trollhunters) is producing.
December 18, 2020
Vivo
Lin-Manuel Miranda, the award-winning (Emmy, Tony, Grammy, Olivier, Pulitzer Prize and MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient) creative force behind the groundbreaking Broadway musical Hamilton, writes new songs for this musical animated feature. Academy Award-nominated director Kirk DeMicco (The Croods) is set to helm a script by Pulitzer Prize-winner Quiara Alegría Hudes (In the Heights). Academy Award-nominated producer Laurence Mark (Dreamgirls, Julie & Julia) serves as executive producer, and Lisa Stewart (Almost Famous) produces.
Smurfs: The Lost VillageSmurfs: The Lost VillageSmurfs: The Lost VillageSmurfs: The Lost Village
Writer-director Makoto Shinkai’s critically acclaimed animated blockbuster Your Name. will be coming to North American theaters on April 7, 2017 through Funimation Films. The pop-culture sensation will be released in both an English-language dub and in the original Japanese with English subtitles.
In the last few days, the film has been nominated for the Japan Academy Prize and with a box office total of $331.6 million USD has become the highest-grossing anime in the world (surpassing Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away) and the all-time top film in Japan. Your Name. is set to roll out in 90-some countries so far.
“It’s truly a joy to be part of a film like Your Name. that has surprised everyone’s expectations and quickly captivated the hearts and attention of audiences and films critics alike,” said Gen Fukunaga, Founder & CEO of Funimation Entertainment. “I have always believed that a touching and beautifully told story can mesmerize mainstream audiences regardless of a film’s genre. Your Name. is the perfect example of this and will be one that journalists will point to for years to come.”
The film relates the strange fate of high schoolers Mitsuha and Taki, complete strangers who one morning wake up to find they have switched bodies. These bizarre swaps occur randomly, and the two must learn to live around each other, forming a connection and leaving each other messages. Their unusual relationship seems tied to a falling star, a beacon calling them to meet face to face — but distance isn’t the only gulf that separates them.
Your Name. premiered at Anime Expo in Los Angeles last year ahead of its debut in Japan, and has been racking up critical nods ever since. In December, it was named the Best Animated Feature of 2016 by the LA Film Critics Association, and is currently under consideration for Oscar nomination (to be announced Jan. 24) following a qualifying run last month.
In addition to a new English dub, award-winning Japanese rock band RADWIMPS is creating localized versions of the soundtrack and score they composed for the original film, under the direction of lead singer Yojiro Noda, who spent part of his childhood in the US. The soundtrack has taken off along with the film, with original tracks “Dream Lantern” and “Zenzenzense” topping charts.
“Melody and lyrics must be something inseparable for RADWIMPS. For all that, I cannot respect and thank them enough for making these wonderful English versions to entertain international audience,” said Makoto Shinkai. “In Your Name., songs, lines and the story are in complete harmony. Lyrics represent characters’ cry of the heart. I hope these alternative versions will lead the audience to a better understanding of the world of Your Name.“
Read more about Your Name. in Tom McLean’s feature story for the Feb. ’17 issue of Animation Magazine.
Margo Georgiadis has been tapped as the next CEO of US-based toy giant Mattel, effective February 8. She will also join the company’s board of directors. Georgiadis will step in for Christopher Sinclair, who has served as interim CEO and chairman since January 2015 and will remain as executive chairman of the board.
Sinclair, in turn, had taken on the role after the sudden departure of Bryan Stockton after many years. Mattel has not had a woman at the helm since the ’90s, when Jill Barad served as CEO for three years. Georgiadis will work closely with both Sinclair and President & COO Richard Dickson in the weeks ahead to ensure a smooth transition.
Margo Georgiadis joins Mattel from Google, where for the last six years she has been President of the Americas, establishing a proven track record of building global partnerships and fostering innovation. Prior to Google, Georgiadis was COO of Groupon, EVP of Card Products and CMO of Discover Financial Services. She was also a partner at McKinsey & Company for 15 years, working in London and Chicago. She currently serves on the boards of McDonald’s Corp. and Amyris.
Christopher Sinclair oversaw a dramatic sales rebound for Mattel during his time as CEO. The company recently posted better than expected revenues for Q3 of 2016, thanks in large part to its Entertainment department and Barbie brand.
Jill Barad was an executive with Mattel for two decades, serving as CEO for three years in the late 1990s. Barad is being honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by Women in Toys Licensing and Entertainment at next month’s Wonder Women Awards.
Zodiak Kids has made a major content sale to Amazon India in a new deal that adds up to over 100 hours of programming. The agreement includes all four seasons of popular kids’ animated series Horrid Henry (produced by Novel Ent. for CiTV), as well as Zodiak Kids Studios toons Extreme Football, Street Football and Sally Bollywood.
All series are set to launch on Amazon Prime Video in India early this year.
“We are extremely happy to announce our collaboration with Zodiak Kids by bringing immensely popular characters like Horrid Henry to India,” said Nitesh Kripalani, Director and Country Head for Amazon Prime Video India. “This alliance adds further volume to our existing bouquet of great kids’ programming, thus paving the way for us to have the largest exclusive selection of kids’ entertainment in India.”
Horrid Henry centers on a boy who constantly feels like life just isn’t fair — with a perfect little brother called Peter, a Mum and Dad who’d love him dearly if only he’d stop behaving, well, like a kid, and a moody girl next door who’s on a mission to make Henry’s life miserable, who can blame him? From where Henry stands, it’s him against the rest of the world. So if that means getting out of swimming class by pretending there’s a shark in the pool, organizing an anti-school uniform campaign with his friends or setting up a pet sitting business in his bedroom to supplement his measly allowance, then that’s all part of life as Henry knows it.
Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir (a.k.a. Miraculous Ladybug if you’re feeling pressed for time) is enjoying super success in Iberia both on and off the screen. Since launching on Disney Channel in Spain and Portugal in February 2016, the CG superhero adventure has constantly hit above-average ratings — sometimes doubling them. The show also launched on Televisio de Catalunya in September 2016.
Building on its warm TV reception, Miraculous Ladybug is proving a hit at retail as well, with all Bandai toys sold out during the Christmas season. Planeta Junior is driving the regional licensing program for the series, which is headlined by global master toy licensee Bandai (dolls, soft toys, role play), with Educa Borrás (puzzles & board games), Viving Costumes, Flexmetal (balloons) and Toim S.L. (bikes & helmets) also currently offering play products.
On the publishing side, books and activity books will continue Ladybug and Cat Noir’s adventures through Editorial Planeta (Spain) and 2020 Editora (Portugal). Panini has launched a stickers collection, Stick & Stack book and official magazine; United Label Iberica and CYP Brands are tackling the gift category.
Additional licensees taking wing with Miraculous Ladybug in the territory include Cife (arts & crafts), Hot Shots and Dekora (food), Karactermania (bags & backpacks), Stor (housewares), Airval (perfume), Nice Group (toy cosmetics), Safta (back to school; Spain), K Stationary (back to school; Portugal), Artesanía Cerdá (fashion textiles & hair accessories), Ditexmex (clothing), Madness (pyjamas) and Estamparia Adalberto (household textiles).
Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir is co-produced by ZAG, Method Animation, Toei Animation and SAMG.
Amazon’s award-winning animated preschool series Creative Galaxy is planning an out-of-this-world Valentine’s Day special for young viewers, complete with a constellation of guest stars. Premiering Tuesday, February 7 on Prime Video in the US, the season 2 special features the voices of The Daily Show correspondents Samantha Bee and Jason Jones as Arty’s parents, and Lisa Loeb as “Melody.”
In the episode, Epiphany (voiced by Kira Gelineau of Dear Viola) plans to show her love with a special performance on Groovopolis in honor of Heart Day — but accidentally ruins her costume right before the show. Epiphany and Arty (Meesha Contreras) take off into the Creative Galaxy for a solution, helping friends along the way and learning that everyone has their own way of saying “I heart you!”
Creative Galaxy is produced by Out of the Blue Enterprises and animated by 9 Story Entertainment. Angela C. Santomero (Blue’s Clues, Super Why!, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood) is Creator and Executive Producer, with Samantha Freeman as Executive Producer. The series received the 2015 Parents’ Choice Gold Award for Television (Ages 3-5).
Along with the special, Amazon and Kahootz have collaborated on a new activity set for kids so they can have their own creative adventures. Arty’s Tool Belt includes an adjustable belt, coloring pad, doodle pad, paint with water pads, sticker book, crayons, thin paint brush and flat paint brush.
ASIFA-Hollywood and the Animation Educators Forum (AEF) have opened applications for the 2017 Faculty Grant program — designed to support individuals or groups with reasonable expenditures associated with animation research, scholarly activity or creative projects.
Applications must be submitted by Monday, February 6 at noon PT. The selected recipients will be announced before April 10.
The Faculty Grants program is open to all ASIFA-Hollywood’s AEF members. (Not a member yet? Email your resume or bio proving full time or adjunct faculty status with a request for membership to: info [at] animationeducatorsforum.org.) Grant expenditures must be for the year running from 2017-18. Awards will range from $1,000 to $5,000 USD per recipient.
Submit your proposal and supporting documents for consideration with application through grants.animationeducatorsforum.org.
